There are a variety of reasons a writer falls into a rut that's difficult to climb out of. More often than not, in my experience, it's because the writer finds him/herself:
- overloaded or overworked
- uninspired
- tired and/or hungry
- distracted
- pressured by deadlines
- I would just get up from my work seat, away from the computer. Take a coffee break, a shower, a walk, do a quick workout, have a massage, a nap...
- I would read. Reading gives me a shot of inspiration or a way to escape to some place and time when taking a real trip isn't an option.
- I would play a couple of games. Just the short ones. My faves are word twist and bejewelled. It's a break from work, but not quite a break from the computer.
- I'd buy myself something pretty or fabulous, or remind myself of how much I want to buy this pretty or fabulous item.
- I'd force myself to do a chore I put off too long. Maybe that was -- in the deep recesses of my subconsciousness, actually keeping me from focusing.